Ministry Tip — Mission statements and annual themes

For quite some time now churches and even individuals have been made aware of the need for personal mission statements. We have been taught that such statements should be prayerfully and carefully developed. Then the statements can be declared and embraced and adopted as the overall umbrella for the life plans and pursuits of a church or individual.

Another helpful tool for planning and implementing ministry that can assist us in staying fresh within our prescribed mission is the use of annual themes. Churches and individuals can benefit by prayerfully and thoughtfully adopting a rallying theme each year.

Such themes can become expressions of current focus for a year of life and ministry. The annual theme presents a brief title that serves as a motivational encouragement basically for a 12-month period.

Illustrations of such themes include: “Pursue Christ Diligently in 2016,” “Redeem Every Moment in 2016,” “Expect, Encourage and Excite,” “Review and Renew Every Aspect of Life in 2016,” “Forgetting What Was, Focusing on What Will Be.” Creative prayerful thinking can lead each church and each individual in finding the right theme for them.

Investing time in the process of discovering and developing an annual theme will be well rewarded. With the theme in place, we can focus attention more effectively. When we are focused and intentional we become much more fruitful and faithful to our calling.